Matthew P Whitaker @Matt_Whit

So long, America🫡🇺🇸 49 days ago we landed in the USA to follow our country at the World Cup. We had no idea it would turn into the trip of a lifetime. Thank you to everyone who followed along, and to all the people we met who made this journey even more special. We honestly don’t have the words to express how grateful we are for everything you did for us. This trip exceeded every expectation we had. We came here with an open mind, wanting to experience as much of the country as possible. I still remember telling my friends on the flight to Atlanta that I hoped we’d get to meet a few locals on this trip. Now we’re flying home with friends all across the USA. Before we came, we heard so many stereotypes and warnings about America. People told us about safety concerns, that they might check our social media at the border, and all kinds of other things. None of it matched our experience. This was probably the most welcoming country we’ve ever visited. So if you have the chance to travel, do it. The world isn’t nearly as bad as the media often makes it seem. 99% of people are awesome! I heard this quote somewhere during the World Cup, and I think it sums up our experience perfectly: “If you want to hate the world, watch the news. If you want to love it, travel it.” Thank you, America ❤️🇺🇸

FIFA got it right by suspending Folarin Balogun’s Red Card under Article 27. Belgium’s protesting the decision isn’t about the integrity of the game. It’s about getting an advantage over the USA. If it was about the integrity of the game, they would be championing Balogun having his Red card suspended because it was improper use of the VAR system and not a Red card offense. Where were the appeals when Cristiano Ronaldo got his 3 game red card ban suspended and reduced to a 1 game ban on a friendly so he could play this entire World Cup? DR Congo and Uzbekistan didn’t protest Cristiano Ronaldo eligibility to play. They played Portugal at full strength. If Belgium doesn’t want to play now because FIFA made the right call and the USA has Folarin Balogun back in the lineup, then THAT’S WEAK. They don’t deserve to win. Put the ball down and play. Don’t pick up your ball and go home.

Sometimes I exaggerate or say things for views. This is not one of those times. When you declare neutrality in every single World War like Belgium has done and rely on the United States to save your ass you lose your right to complain about an overturned red card 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️

Why is it ‘cancelled’ in the U.K. but ‘canceled’ in the U.S.? Because we gave them that L in 1776.

The World Cup has turned America into a discovery channel for the rest of the world. And they are not handling it well. In the best possible way. Here is what they are discovering: Free public restrooms. Europeans pay every time. Free water at every restaurant. Just appears. Free refills. Coffee. Sodas. Iced tea. Unlimited. Free chips and salsa before you even order. Free warm bread with dinner. Ice in drinks like civilized people. Air conditioning everywhere. Not a moral debate. A fact. Parking lots attached to the actual place you are going. Drive throughs where the food comes to the car while you sit in it. Ranch dressing by the gallon. Tex-Mex that cannot be explained only experienced. Dental care that actually works. Buccee’s. There are no words for Buccee’s. Then they found the grocery stores. Five of them within one mile. Each one the size of an aircraft hangar. Burgers. Steaks. Brisket. Ribs. Pulled pork. Lamb. Veal. Every cut of every animal ever domesticated by human civilization available in one refrigerated aisle at ten in the morning on a Tuesday. The Germans stood in the meat section for forty five minutes. In silence. Processing. They finally understand why we do not have trains. We have roads wide enough for the cars we actually drive. Parking lots the size of small European countries. Airports in every city worth visiting. Why would we need trains. The Germans are taking ranch home by the bottle. The Dutch found queso and briefly lost the ability to speak. The Japanese are photographing HEB like it is the Louvre. The Czechs are weeping in West, Texas. Welcome to America! The greatest country on earth.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PLAYS SOCCER TODAY

Spain is experiencing Chattanooga, TN. Argentina is in Auburn, Alabama. Germans are eating Waffle House. Brits are still complaining. This World Cup has been amazing and it hasn’t even started yet.

Chipper Jones being cheered in Pittsburgh as he singles during his final at-bat 🙌

This is so good

cllct @cllctMedia

3 months ago

Never forget when Kyle Busch spotted this fan wearing his hat while driving next to her in traffic 🥹 This is one of the most wholesome interactions you'll ever see.

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This story is now more than 25 years old and I have told it more times than I can count, but it hits very differently today. I was anchoring SportsCenter one afternoon and Lou Holtz was on the show. I was quite excited to talk with him, he had been an icon all of my life. He was very friendly, asking me all about myself as we walked toward the studio to record an interview. I told him: “Actually, Coach, it’s quite exciting, my wife and I are expecting our first child in the next few weeks.” He stopped dead in his tracks and put a finger up near my face. And I’ll never forget what he said. “Young man, the most important thing you can do for a child is make sure every day they know how much you love their mother.” And, just like that, he started walking again. Our daughter was born a month later, our son came two years after that. And I have thought about what Lou Holtz said to me that day about a million times since. RIP Coach, thanks for the best advice anyone ever gave me.

“I want to thank our troops for allowing us to play this game.” —USA Hockey Team How representing your country is done ✊🏼🇺🇸

Brick Street in Oxford, OH reaction Jack Hughes’ USA Gold Medal OT winner 🎥 @BrickStOxford

Possibly the greatest single male athletic performance of all time

Thank you @FSUSoccer for you consistently being our best football team over the years!

FSU Football @FSUFootball

8 months ago

WAY TO GO @FSUSoccer!!!!

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Bucky Irving got baptized today before today’s game🙏 via: _0daviidd/IG

Think many of you need to see this tonight. You all lost your minds. Demons are here.

I’ll miss this far more than any political influence Charlie Kirk ever had. He was perhaps the strongest soldier in God’s army.

This. This. And this.

David Pollack @davidpollack47

11 months ago

The only answer, forever, and no matter the circumstances, is Jesus.

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